Ineffable

Gaia's Grotto

The train pulled away from the Pearly Gates with a jerk. Crowley pressed his forehead against the cool glass of the window and stared at the swirling mist outside. It was absolutely impenetrable. He wondered vaguely what lay beyond, in the firmament between heaven and earth. He felt numb with the pain of seeing Aziraphale in that cage, humiliated and imprisoned. He had no thought of what to do. Death sat beside him, silent as a churchyard.

At last they rattled to a halt with a screech of brakes. The mists cleared and an abandoned train platform came into view. They were back in London.

"We're here," said Death, touching his shoulder.

"What're we going to do?" moaned Crowley. He stared out at the mudflats of the Thames, reflecting the orange glow of the city's lights.

"Perhaps it is time for you to meet my partner," said Death.

"You have a partner?" Crowley asked.

"A man has needs," Death replied.

"You're not a man," Crowley pointed out.

"It's an expression."

"Oh."

"Eternity can get lonely, I find."

"Yeah," replied Crowley. "Tell me about it."

"She is the life force. Gaia. The source of it all."

Crowley stared at Death, unable to wrap his mind around this information.

"You will like her," said Death.

********

Gaia resided in a green grotto by a remote mountain stream. She greeted Death with the shy flirtatiousness of a young girl. She was beautiful, of course. Lithe and graceful, with green hair that cascaded in luxurious curls down her back, eyes like stars. And her face, well, for some reason Crowley couldn't focus on her face, but he knew that it was the most beautiful face he had ever seen. She offered him refreshment; milk, honey and nectar. She fetched a glass of dust for Death. They sat by the burbling water, surrounded by the animals of the forest. A bird perched on Gaia's shoulder. She held Death's skeletal hand as he and Crowley laid the problem out before her.

"I don't know," Gaia said. She plucked a dandelion from the grass and twirled it in her fingers. "I feel pity for your friend. I know Aziraphale well, and all the good works that he has done. But going against the Christian god is not an easy task. He is capable of great compassion and love, but once He has made a judgement....." Gaia shrugged. "I have never known Him to change His mind."

"Then we must force Him to!" Crowley cried.

"It would be a mistake to try to pressure Him," replied Gaia. "We must offer Him something, something of value. He is a god, after all, and no god can resist a bargain."

"What can we offer Him?" asked Crowley. "He's.....God. Can't He get whatever He wants?"

There was a hint of wickedness in Gaia's starry eyes. "In the material sense, yes. But there is something all gods crave, something they require for their very existence."

"What is that?" asked Crowley.

"It is the love and faith of their human subjects. Belief. A god is only as strong as the conviction of their worshippers. Once their accolades lose faith," Gaia blew on the dandelion and the seeds scattered into the air "It's over."

"It is true," Death concurred. "I have witnessed the death of many gods. It is a sad thing."

"The Christian god understands that He is losing believers on earth. I think He would be open to a change in world view if you were able to offer Him an uptick in participation."